Australian high performance athletes to inspire school children across the country

The Australian Institute of Sport has appointed 12 high performance athletes from sports including netball, hockey, taekwondo and wheelchair rugby as ambassadors for The Good Village Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Problem Solvers Program which sees the athletes take their learnings from the field of play to the classroom.

Over the next eight months, the AIS athlete ambassadors, who include kayaker Yale Steinepreis, Olympic rower Sarah Hawe and diver Olivia O’Rourke, will visit primary schools across the country to help students deliver a project focused on health and wellbeing.

GIANTS netball player Amy Sligar said she’s thrilled to give back to the next generation of leaders and shared “growing up I had so many role models and to have the chance to have that same impact is super exciting. I look forward to connecting with schools through this program and providing all kids with an equal opportunity to foster a healthy, holistic lifestyle."

Designed in partnership with Nestle, the free program aims to teach students about what it takes to create a healthy, supportive and sustainable village of people while unpacking a challenge within Australian sport.

Schools can apply to have an AIS Athlete ambassador deliver two virtual or in-person sessions that weave in lessons in science, humanities, arts and economics while also exposing students to a range of different sports.

Former Hockeyroos defender Edwina Bone has been involved in the program since 2020 and says being an athlete ambassador provides the opportunity to combine her skills in sport and education.

“Now that I’ve retired and pursued a career as a teacher, this program gives me the opportunity to combine my background as an athlete and knowledge as an educator to create a holistic approach to my students and I love that the program challenges students to think outside the box to address real-world issues.”

The AIS athlete ambassadors are available to schools nationwide, including in regional areas, something that really resonated with Hockeyroos defender Penny Squibb.

Squibb added “being from a small country town I always loved having athletes visit so I am grateful to be in the position I am now to be able to help deliver this program as an athlete and give back and hopefully inspire students to be creative, keep learning and develop new skills.”

Australian Wheelchair Rugby player Shae Graham echoed this and said she’s looking forward to giving students exposure to new sports enthusing “I am very excited to give back and connect with local communities, help promote good health and wellbeing and introduce primary school students to the fantastic sport of Wheelchair Rugby.”

2023 ambassadors: Amy Sligar (Netball), Caitlin Bettenay (Beach Volleyball) Cameron Girdlestone (Rowing), Edwina Bone (Hockey), Jake Bensted (Judo), Liam Twomey (Triathlon), Olivia O’Rourke (Diving), Penny Squibb (Hockey), Sarah Hawe (Rowing), Shae Graham (Wheelchair Rugby), Stacy Hymer (Taekwondo) and Yale Steinepreis (Paddle).

Schools interested in applying can do so at The Good Village AIS Problem Solvers Program | Australian Institute of Sport

Image. Shae Graham (Wheelchair Rugby). Credit AIS